Hiking Diamond Head State Monument, Oahu Hawaii
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/oah...

In this video, I filmed my POV hiking Diamond Head State Monument, which is park of the Hawaii State Park system near Honolulu, Hawaii. The prominent volcanic landmark overlooks Waikiki Beach at an elevation of 762'.

Reservations are required for out of state visitors to hike Diamond Head and to park at the visitor center. The entry fee for Diamond Head is $5 per person and it's $10 to park. Currently reservations can be made 30 days in advance. When we visited, reservations were only allowed 2 weeks in advance, so this process is subject to change. To make reservations visit the state monument website at https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/oah...

Diamondhead is the most recognized landmark in Hawaii and it was designated a national natural landmark in 1968. This volcanic tuff cone is believed to have formed about 300,000 years ago during a single, brief eruption.

The original name of this summit is Le’ahi but in the 1700’s Western Explorers visited Le’ahi and saw the calcite crystals on the rocks in the slope of the crater and thought they were Diamonds- thus the name, Diamondhead.

The summit of Diamond Head was an ideal site for the coastal defense of Oahu. In 1904 it was purchased by the Federal Government and designated for military use. Fortification begin in 1908 to include the trail to the summit, the entry tunnel through the North wall of the Crater and construction of gun emplacements. The fortification of this mountain was an engineering marvel of it’s time. Diamondhead was prepared to defend Oahu but no artillery was ever fired during a war.

For more information about the hike see:
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/oah...

About Diamond Head State Monument Reservations
Aloha and welcome to the official website for the Diamond Head State Monument Online Reservation System. From this website you will be able to reserve and purchase parking (if necessary) and entry tickets to the park.

Reservations may be made up to 30 days in advance. Because the park gets busy at certain times during the day and may sell out, please book your reservations as soon as possible to avoid missing out.

Please arrive within the first 30 minutes of your reservation period. If you arrive after 30 minutes into your reservation period, you may be denied access and/or parking. There will be no refunds for no-shows or late arrivals. If you purchase parking reservations, be aware that you must exit the park by the end time of your reservation period. This is to accommodate those arriving in later timeslots, as parking in Diamond Head is very limited.

Parking and entry fees must be purchased online, at this website. Persons without a reservation will be turned away.

Refund/Changes policies:
Refunds are allowed up to 3 days prior to your entry date. Changes to your reservation may be made up until the day before your reservation (midnight Hawaiʻi time) and will be allowed so long as space is available on your preferred date/time. Cancellation ($5) and service fees may be applied to these requests (no service fee on changes resulting in no cost change). Requests can be made by clicking on the Change/Cancel/View Your Reservation link on the reservations page. A change resulting in a lesser cost will result in a refund only if the change is requested 3 days or more before the entry date.

*State of Hawaiʻi residents are exempt from the fee/reservation requirement – proof of state residency is required at time of entry. Visitors accompanying State of Hawaiʻi residents to visit Diamond Head State Monument are not exempt from the entry fees and must purchase in advance.

*Any commercial carriers or tour companies caught trying to use the visitor reservation system instead of the PUC reservation system may be banned from the park for up to one year.

Diamond Head State Monument

One of Hawai’i’s most recognizable landmarks in the world, Diamond Head State Monument is a breathtaking sight witnessed from land, sea, or air. Founded on 475 acres across a 300,000 year-old volcanic crater, the summit at Diamond Head crater is a short, steep hike out of Honolulu and into the clouds. With unparalleled views of O’ahu’s shoreline, Diamond Head is the perfect destination for anyone looking for adventure.